Friday Faves…A Few Things That Make Me Smile
Ellia and watermelon
Mallie and watermelon
"Gary hung the chandelier for me as a surprise. Why heavens no, I’ve never raised my head enough to see what it’s hanging from. Let’s just enjoy our limes under glass."
My parents!
My new favorite indulgence...Oreo Truffles
Crush a pack of Oreo cookies and mix it with a block of soft cream cheese. Roll into balls, freeze for a few minutes, and dip into melted semi-sweet or white chocolate. There are no words for this luscious dessert!
My church and the precious people inside.
My husband...
And consequently…
And consequently…
Related posts:
pictures | Word Warrior | 
August 6, 2010 9:33 am
So funny. Just this morning I linked to you and to Catalog Living. That site cracks me up!
Sweet babies with their watermelon.
You had me cracking up at your Catalog Living comment…mostly because before I read what you wrote, I was thinking, “Oh, how pretty! Is that HER yard?”
Label me a sucker.
I’ll just sit here in the corner with my “DUNCE” cap on and keep chuckling at how you got me.
Rachel,
Too funny!
So this is an announcement right? *smile*
Oh wow, Kelly! Have you snuck in an announcement there?! Congratulations!!
I love reading your blog every day – it is such an encouragement to me, and it is so refreshing to have a Christian woman speak up about important issues. Congratulations on your new blessing! How very exciting! The pictures are beautiful, and the Catalog Living just cracks me up. Weird, but hilarious!
YAAAAAAYYY!!!!
Congrats my friend!!Can’t wait to see the newest little blessing…
love,
Robin
Kelly, Congratulations! This is the first time I have been able to check your website since the Baby Conference because we moved up to Michigan the following week and are just now getting settled. and I was so surprised to see your announcement! It was great to finally meet you, and Robin. Well, we have had our last 2 babies at the same time, so we will see what happens! When are you due?
In Christ, Laura
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I think I might have to try out those desserts!
http://www.surrender2survive.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness, CONGRATULATIONS! I’m so jealous. My Anna is 13 months old and I’d love another baby
I love your photos! Catalog Living is hilarious!
Your parents seem to be beaming with love! What a great photo of them.
Congrats on your pregnancy! (I am due around April 1
)
Congratulations Kelly! Will this be number 9?
Yep!
BIG congratulations Kelly! Yay! What a joy!
Congratulations! Your Church is Beautiful! That dessert sounds Incredible (and easy:)! It’s so nice that your parents make you smile (and such a blessing)! And Babies eating watermelon always makes me smile too!
Details: I *think* I’m around 8 weeks, which puts me due around March 15th (4th March baby
) and there’s nothing on the planet I want more right now than fast food, so my vow to avoid eating out until we pay off our last credit card…what’s that about revoking a vow? Can’t my husband do it for me? Hey what if I had a gift card (hint)…hee hee, just kidding.
Congratulations! Looks like we are due at the same time! (our 2nd March baby) Just wandering if you really took a test, I mean you have done this before
I felt silly even taking one, and this is only our 4th. When I want to eat raw onions like apples I know something is up! 
And lets don’t talk about fast food. Why can’t we crave healthy things? 
Did you *have* to add that last picture? Do you realize that madde me call my husband and beg him to bring me by lunch?? Kelly! Look what you are doing to me!
ROFL! Glad I could help out!
That is so funny! I always knew that I was pregnant because of a craving I DIDN’T have. I usually can’t wait for my morning coffee, but I could not even touch the stuff throughout my pregnancies. Weird, huh?
Ha! My grandma had the same thing. In fact, when she was expecting my aunt, 8 years after my mom, she said, “this coffee tastes terrible. If I didn’t know better, I’d say I was pregnant!” Well… she was!
Yep! Same thing for me. During both of my (failed) pregnancies, the first sign was that coffee started to taste like DIRT! Isn’t it funny how our bodies work?
Congrats, Kelly!
On the heels of the Baby Conference, a new baby!!!! How exciting that God is blessing you and your family again!! I’ll be praying for you and this newest little one!
Congratulations Kelly! I was just thinking it might be about time for another for you, hopefully I’ll be a few months behind you like I was last time. My baby turns a year old next week.
Ashley
Congratulations!
Congratulations!!!!!!
Congratulations from one mom of 9 to another soon-to-be mom of 9! It’s very exciting. I always crave hamburgers (any type from anywhere) when I’m pregnant. But, I have to say, since I am not pregnant, it’s those oreo truffles that are really calling my name right now.
Congratulations! A new baby is always a blessing and so exciting!
Congratulations!!!! I am hoping our next blessing will be on the way soon. My baby is 11 months and baby fever is so setting in right now
Congratulations to another precious gift from the Lord!
*big smiles*
Congratulations, Mrs. Kelly! Praying for you and your precious family (especially the precious little one who is on the way).
Congratulations from Germany!
)
(I want the last two items too
Yay!!!! Congratulations!!!!
Congrats! My 4th just turned 4 months and I’ve already got baby fever! LOL! You are an inspiration to me and I am so happy for your precious family!!
1. Congratulations! We’re expecting Baby #2 around the same time! Our oldest is not quite a year, but we’re SOOOOO excited! I had a burger last night. But I’m pretty sure I’m ready for another one :S
2. You look *exactly* like your mom!
Shriek!!!!!
Congratulations!
What wonderful news! Congratulations!
Kelly, you’re pregnant again??? AUGHHHHH!!! (In a good way). CONGRATULATIONS!!
))))
Jennifer,
LOL! You’re funny. It’s like I told a couple of my friends (some of whom are so NOT quiverfull)…”It must be rough being friends with someone like me…you know if you don’t respond enthusiastically enough you might end up on the blog”
Hey, whatever works.
Well I’m thrilled for you
You love kids and you’re more than capable of raising a big family with diligence, and of course kids are wonderful. You want me to try and get you a year’s supply of free Mcdonald’s frappes? ‘Cause I will 
KELLY!!! Way to sneak that in there.. LOL!! Congratulations!! <3
Awww! Congratulations!!!!!!!!
I love the pics. And congratulations!
Congratulations!!!! I’m expecting #6 in a month. What a wonderful blessing to be waiting for #9!
CONGRATULATIONS KELLY!
What a clever little trick to pull…
i was considering quitting your blog if that was ‘actually’ your yard! LOL! congrats!
Eek!
Oh My Goodness! I saw the picture, of the test, and started crying for joy! Congratulations! I started reading here when you were last pregnat and I was just. Now our 5th (first girl) is 6 months old and she needs a sister! Hope to join you soon.
Thank-you for your inspirational words that are helping parents turn their hearts back towards thier chidren, even the ones that aren’t here yet.
Cute watermelon pics
Congratulations on happy expectations!
Kelly,
When I saw your pregnancy stick with the double lines I literally raised my hands in the air and shouted, “Woo-Hoo” real loud with a smile on my face.
BTW, that was a “cute” way to sneak that announcement in there. Congratulations on #9 (Yes, I am “keeping score,” ha!) 
At any rate, I enjoyed the rest of your photographs. Also, the pictures from catalog living always make me laugh. :O
~Mrs. Lady Sofia~
Congratulations!
Babies are such a blessing.
Woah! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
I have just a HUGE smile on my face right now!
Thrilled for you….and a wee bit jealous!
Congratulations! I am #2 a month before you.
Congratulations, Kelly. What wonderful news. May you continue to feel well and have all the energy you need as you take care of your beautiful family. God Bless you.
Congratulations Kelly!
Excited for you!!!
Nicole,
Where in Arizona are you? I am in Glendale and my husband and I are always on the lookout for likeminded families to get to know. It is hard to find that here and we often joke that our best mentors are on CD or DVD. My e-mail is atrack23@hotmail.com if you would like to e-mail me.
Angie
Oh I am just overjoyed for you! Congratulations on the newest blessing!!!
I have followed your blog nearly daily now for a few months, and you have become such a dear mentor to me in God’s Word. I see in my old prayer/study journals how I have been petitioning God for a mentor now for about two years, and I see how He has provided me with you when I had no Titus 2 older woman in person. What a dear blessing you have been as I started homeschooling in February, finally gave God all “family planning” control after our third baby was born in September, and daily grow in Biblical womanhood. You have had more of an impact in my life than probably any other source (outside of the Bible), and I am deeply indebted to you.
My husband knows now that when I say, “…today Kelly said…” that of course I mean Kelly Crawford, not anyone else, and he is grateful for the influence you have had on our family.
I eagerly look forward to meeting you in heaven, but if you ever need a place to stay in Arizona, look me up.
D
God’s richest blessings to you as you honor Him in your role as mommy! Again, I say, Congratulations!!!
This is such a tender thought to me, Nicole!
HOLD ON A BLOOMING SECOND!! I have made those truffles MANY times and I NEVER get the same results!! I want a positive pregnancy test, darnit!LOL
Congratulations, Kelly!
I can’t imagine how excited you must be! 
ROFL! Thank you.
Well, congratulations! How exciting!! And the “Catalog Living” website has been my go-to website when I need a good laugh!
With our tenth baby, I CRAVED Burger King Whoppers!! I ate them every time I could get one. Had the baby, and he is now 3 1/2, and I haven’t had a Whopper since. Well, maybe one or two. heehee
No way!! I just got a positive test Saturday night!
We can be preggo together! This will make five for us so you’re way ahead! So happy for you!
How fun! Congratulations! Quite a few blog readers will be preggy with me…that is too much fun!
Congratulations!! What a blessing! Are you going the natural birth route again?
Congratulations! I am happy for you!
I must ask, though, and SO hoping this isn’t inappropriate…
I have four beautiful, lovely daughters. Youngest will be 1 next week. I can’t say a positive pregnancy test right now would make me “smile” really. How do you do that? I’m not 100% “quiverfull”, yet I do believe children are blessings and Christians need to have an open heart for such things, etc. My husband feels the same way pretty much (he is not against having more). But… I’m often overwhelmed. I’m not the best mom a LOT. My husband isn’t the most plugged-in husband/father. How do you do it? How do you have such a young one on hand (it’s not so much the #, but the frequency which scares me!), and still first “smile” at a positive test? I fear I’d gasp and have heart arrhythmia for days before I got to the ‘smiling’ stage.
God bless you!
I’m all about being real, and if you think that I’m always instantly overjoyed at a positive pregnancy test, I’m not. But over the years I have become increasingly excited, increasingly sooner as I think my heart becomes more and more “child-shaped”. It’s a process of growth, and re-giving my fears and concerns to the Lord. Some tests have been harder to get used to than others, but I think the closer I get to the age where God will close my womb, the more I cherish each baby.
It’s OK though to go through a time of adjustment.
Kelly,I am so happy for you.I am over 40 now and while blessed with 5 of my own. I am so hoping God has a few more blessings planned for me.If only I had trusted him from the start of my marrage.I will be praying for a healthy pregnancy and easy delivary for you.
So glad you said all this. With numbers 5-9, I think I cried at every positive test. We had 7 kids in 9 yrs, and we already had 3 older ones. Every time I cried, my sweet hubby would hug me and say, “Honey, it’s a baby. We’ve done this before. It’s gonna be okay.” That usually set me on the right path pretty quickly! Thanks for showing that even us moms of many aren’t always thrilled about obedience, even if it looks like it!!
Thanks for sharing that. I look up to you and your honesty encourages me. I am very excited to accept all the blessings God sends me, but sometimes it makes me afraid to think of. My three are 5, 2 & 3 months right now and sometimes I am soooo overwhelmed & tired.
Congrats!!! I am so happy to hear that you are expecting
May you have a healthy nine months and a bundle of joy to top it off!!
How wonderfully, fabulously exciting! Congratulations Kelly and family.
Congratulations! So excited for you and your family.
Congratulations, Kelly! I’ve been reading your blog for just a few weeks and have been really encouraged by your articles…I’m 16 years old and have a blog too. I think I found your blog from a link from a friend of mine. What a blessing to be pregnant with #9! May God continue to bless your family.
Hi Kelly,
I have been reading your blog for what feels like forever now.
Congratulations – clever way to announce
I must say I am excited for you, but also a little envious. Our one and only son is 3 1/4 and we have been trying for another one for years now. No such luck yet.
I am one of 6 children and always dreamed of having a big family all close in age like my brothers and sister and I. I guess our dreams don’t always eventuate right? I just love how you always write about children being such blessings. So true. I’m learning to stop yearning for another child and to simply appreciate the beautiful child I have and make the most of my days with him.
Thanks for all the time you take to write your blog, I love it.
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
Two stories come to my heart to share with you:
1) I am an only child. My mother was one of 7 and always wanted a large family, but my upbringing was incredibly joyous. I loved being an only, and my mom and I are still the best of friends to this day. That said, I’m hoping to have a large family myself, so it’s not like being an only is the “only” way, but it is still a rich, rich life.
2) A friend of mine at church tried (without intervention) for years after their daughter was born for #2. They had pretty much given up when lo and behold, they had a son last year–fifteen years after their first! No intervention necessary! (This also happened to my cousin, though her first two were born through IVF. #3 was a surprise, when she had COMPLETELY given up hope.)
I don’t know how God will bless you, but know that blessings come in all shapes and sizes. I am living proof of that.
God bless!
Thanks Bethany for your response! Very encouraging. I read your blog every day too, and have been reading yours for a couple years now!!
x Miriam
Miriam, right there with you {{{hugs}}}
Just got a negative test here. Dh is out of the country, and this means that my youngest will be nearly four before there’s even a *chance* for another baby.
Sad thought.
But, God is good. If three is his plan for me, then it’s a good plan because it’s his plan.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Congratulations! I had the biggest smile when I seen the two lines! The Lord is Good!
Congratulations Kelly! I announced baby #4 that way to my photo blogging friends, and also took a printed version to announce it to my parents. My children were so excited to participate in the announcement, so they handed their Pawpaw the photo and he totally didn’t get it. He thought it was a picture of some kind of remote control and playfully started ‘pushing the buttons’ and making beeping noises. My boys were rolling in laughter and had to end up spelling it out for him. lol
So very happy for you all, you have beautiful, beautiful children! Your precious blue eyed doll looks just like your oldest daughter to me…just gorgeous!
And your comment about keeping it real, that’s wisdom girl. I wish I could give you a hug for that.
You, your baby, and your entire family will be in my prayers as the Lord adds this wonderfully rich new layer to your lives. Bless you!
Amy,
Love that and thank you!
Fun news, Kelly! So…were you pregnant at the baby conference? Were you pregnany and didn’t know it yet? Congrats!
I actually did take a test at the conference and it was negative. But if my calculations are correct, I would have been very early pregnant then…too fun, huh?
Woo-hoo! Just checked the blog and was thrilled at what I saw. Congratulations to your beautiful growing family. And once again, thank you for ministering to so many of us.
Blessings, hugs and love!
Hi Kelly! Just wanted to say congratulations! Praying you have a healthy, wonderful pregnancy
Yahoo!!! Congratulations to you—and what a great way to announce it!
Sarah
Congratulations!!
Many congratulations to you and your family! God bless you!
Congratulations!!!!! I am the 5th girl and the 7th child of 10, so I know how exiting it is to have another sibling on the way!!! Congrats to the kids on, Lord willing getting a new sibling next yr!!!
May God bless you with many more!
Delaney Seargeant
KELLY!!! God is so amazing! Congratulations. I was really just going to stop after the Oreo truffles and run to the store for ingredients. SO glad I kept reading. I’m so excited for y’all!!
Congratulations!!! – in the vein of babies being blessings to all of us, I really needed to read this today! Thanks for sharing. And now I want a hamburger and some watermelon. And chocolate. Amen.
I feel like a total ditz! The fact that you were making an announcement totally escped me. I saw this post initially, and thought, “What lovely pictures!” and moved on.
For some reason I came back and looked again, noticed 80-something comments, and realized that I missed the whole point.
Congratulations and blessings to you Crawford family!
God is good!
Kelly, It’s probably been a year since I’ve commented. I am horrible at commenting. But I have to tell you congratulations! A new little one how awesome. Love the pictures and now, I think I will add Oreos and cream cheese to my shopping list so I can try those luscious little truffles. yummy
Praying for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Congratulations! I’m happy for y’all. Actually, I’ve been waiting for an announcement. I just figured it was coming someday! I love your example of being so excited even though you have done this many times before. They are each a special blessing!
Three years ago I learned what a “blog” was. Today, it’s hard to imagine not having you all to share my life with. While I am blessed to have lots of non-cyber friends and family who are still excited about a ninth baby, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to get to feel the love and enthusiasm from so many of you sweet ladies. It’s something I treasure–thank you all!
YAAAY! LOVED how you dropped that one! Just so moved by this post, i’ve ‘lurked’ here since 08 but just had to come out of hiding for this one lol!! I came across this blog and others like it at a key point in my life. Your willingness to accept God’s blessings and raise them for God’s glory has encouraged and strengthened me so muchin the past, when I was scared what my family would think before I had #4. Well I only just had #5 10 weeks ago but would love to be blessed again.I’m soo happy n excited for you like you’re a friend or my sister or something lol. Anyway, Keep up the God work.
from an avid reader in London, England
ps i thought that was your garden too!
please excuse typos, still can’t type one-handed x
How incredibly wonderful – congratulations!
I’m new to your blog, was pointed here by a friend last week & have been thoroughly enjoying your posts. As a mom of 5 (who is slowly getting past the letting go & letting God) & student midwife, congratulations!! I’ll probably be an avid reader from here out.
Ahhh!! So exciting! Congrats on your next little one.
I don’t often comment here but find your blog to be a HUGE encouragement to me and my (rapidly!) expanding family – so I just wanted to say congratulations!!! What a wonderful blessing!!
Congratulations!!! So exciting! I can’t wait to have another one, all the while treasuring the two I have now.
Congratulations, Kelly!! And, how gorgeous is your property?? Oh, my goodness. Trying not to be jealous — on all counts
But so very, very happy for you.
Bethany,
Oh darlin’, look again. That’s not our property though it would be rather novel to have a chandelier hanging beside our pool…if we had a pool
WOW!! Thanks for the Oreo recipe!
Whooooooooo! Congratulations.
(Er, are you absolutely *sure* you’re not Catholic, or Mormon???) Just kiddin’.
And seriously, you shouldn’t have put that oreo truffle thingy up. Oh my.
No, just a very pregnant Protestant-hey I just made that up but it has a ring
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! Love your way of announcement! I too want to thank you for keeping it real and such a blessing. I can’t tell you how many times I jot notes on my dry erase board by my computer to remind me something beautiful you wrote.
Been gone a week, but wanted you to know I was soooo happy for you and your family!!!!! Safe, blessed, non-morning sick pregnancy and a wonderful blessing of a baby is prayed!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! we are so excited for you all! children are the best gift! look forward to seeing you soon! blessings, jen in al
Congratulations to you and your family on your newest blessing!! Number 9? WOW! I imagine your children are very excited as well.
I’m pregnant with my second and due in January (again). I know so many pregnant women right now. Wooo!
Congratulations! What a wonderfully fun way to announce a coming blessing.
Congratulations!
“Our sister, may you become
thousands of ten thousands,
and may your offspring possess
the gate of those who hate him!”
Gen. 24:60 ESV
Pauper,
Big, warm smiles
Congratulations Kelly! God’s blessings are SO sweet! We’re expecting our fifth sweet blessing in a few short weeks. So happy for your family!!!!
Congratulations Kelly. That is wonderful news. I love your blog and look forward to reading it. God bless you and your family. I admire you and your family.
*What is this, like #20?! Don’t you know what causes that?! * Kidding, kidding!! I am so very, very excited for you! Three of our six have March birthdays! My baby is now 5 months old, and while it would be lovely to have a year (or two!) between her and the next, if I saw two lines tomorrow, my tears would now be more of joy than nerves, which I couldn’t have said in the past. This shift in thought, I have to say, is in a large part because of your wonderful example and faithfulness to His word, and others like you. I am soo thankful for you, and happy for your family!
I think we have figured it out, but we still don’t have a tv
Well, Kelly, I know that I don’t always agree with how you present your positions, but your commitment to what you beleive is very authentic and refreshing. And I truly do give you the most sincerest congratulations and pray great blessings on your pregnancy and the new life God has given you.
Thank you very much, Amy!
Congratulations!
Oh wow, CONGRATULATIONS!! I can’t believe I almost missed this!
Also- it’s amazing how different Ellia and Mallie’s colouring is. Both are so so beautiful.
I love how creative God is with genetics. He delights me so much with His artistry. I was delighted when He gave my blond husband and I (also blond, and both of us from blond parents with blond siblings) a little red-headed girl. What fun!
Lauren,
Isn’t it true? Ellia has been the most unique-looking child in our family. I routinely get asked, “Whose baby are you holding?” LOL…and Ellia happens to be “Mallie’s favorite” so she wags her around like a baby doll and someone commented last week how wild it was that they looked so opposite! Ellia looks just like I did and my husband is so different and Mallie looks JUST like him when he was little. We always look forward to seeing what our children will look like!
That’s true, they ARE gorgeous opposites. I love God’s palettes!
Congratulations! I LOVED your announcement! That was just classic! I’m due March 13, with our #3. I’ve only had summer babies, so this is a real switch for me. =)
Congratulations! You will LOVE having a March baby. This will be our 5th March baby and it is my absolute favorite time of the year to give birth!
wait, 4th or 5th March baby? I suppose it doesn’t much matter, either way congrats! I’m just curious, do you have a birthday celebration every week or is it one big party for all the birthday celebrants?
Congratulations!!! And Oreo truffles are WONDERFUL and so easy to make (and so hard to resist). I made them the first time this past Christmas and gave them as gifts. EVERY time I saw a neighbor for weeks, they were the first thing mentioned. So guess what all my neighbors will be getting again this year…
Oh wow! Another baby! Congratulations
When I first read the post I thought “Is she saying what I think she’s saying?” So I had to check the comments to see if this was indeed an announcement for baby #9…lol. 
How wonderful, Kelly!! congratulations on your newest bundle of sweetness. What a blessed family to be joining. Let me known if you need anything. Praying for you.
Hugs,
Cristy and family
Ps- Mallie looks just like your mom!
How very exciting!!
Kelly,
The kids and I made the Oreo Truffles last night and they were sooo yummy! Thanks for the recipe! We will definitely be making them again!
Oh fun! I’m glad you liked them. I haven’t made them with white choc yet, but I bet that’s yummy too!
We used white chocolate, Nestle white chocolate chips.It didn’t melt smoothly. White melting chocolate that is used to make candy would be better. It still tasted great though, lumpy and all!
Hey Kelly, I am a little behind! Haha! Just saw the news and I am excited for you and your precious family! Congratulations and Love from the Rileys
Congratulations!
My youngest is five (he’s number 6) and I am missing a little one around! I guess until the Lord moves in that direction, I will just need to see my granddaughter more!
Love your blog but hadn’t checked in for a while, congratulations!!!!
So pleased for you all, may God richly bless you as you set out to raise up another little blessing for Him . . . and thank you for the dessert idea – yum!
Grainne
Kelly–
Just wanted to share– the other night I was watching a youtube video from a large family singing a song– and one of yours came up on the side as another option– so I listened… I didn’t realize you had those– but one of the videos from you was your delivery of your last blessing– via natural delivery.
You had your first natural delivery and I then had my first one (already planned) 2 months later– so after watching your video again– I was like — “WOW!” that was beautiful– and at the same time– WOW– what were we thinking!! LOL
Well I went to bed– thinking about your latest announcment here– and curious– would you do it again (naturally?) And thinking, would I?
Well yesterday I received my POSTIVE test— so once again we will be pregnant at the same time!!!
I’ll be having #6… I think I WILL be going natural again– God gives grace— and forgetting much of child delivery I beleive is part of that– because I DO remember the pain– but at the same time– I do remember it didn’t last *THAT* long!! 
Anyway– just thought it was neat we were both expecting, again!!
Denise,
That is really amazing!!!
As to your question about natural birth….quite honestly, my preferred routs this time is still natural most of the way but an epidural before the end.
Crazy as that would sound to some, my delivery was so traumatic that, unlike I thought, once Ellia was born I was in so much pain I couldn’t hold her or even *think* about what was going on. They shot pain meds into my IV (per husband’s request, maybe??) to get my pain under control because I couldn’t stop crying and couldn’t get any relief.
I missed that usual sweet time snuggling with my baby and enjoying the first moments. I want that again.